Carolina Medical Student Research Program (CMSRP)

Info

The Carolina Medical Student Research Program is a combination of 4 main funding sources: NIDDK Short Term Research Training Grant (STRT), Research Training in Otolaryngology/ Head & Neck Surgery, UNC Medical Alumni Endowment Fund, Office of Research, and the UNC Medical Foundation Fund, which grant stipends for about 40 students to engage in research each year. Projects are short term (8 weeks) and conducted in the summer after the first year of medical school. A few one-year projects and short-term school year projects are funded, as money is available.

Each studentfinds their own mentor and develops a research project to submit with their application. The application process has been designed to mimic the grant funding process of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For students planning to apply for grants in the future, this program will provide an insight into the granting process.

Eligibility: Medical students who have completed one semester at UNC-CH and are in good standing at that institution. Most students (80%) participate the summer after their first year. Students are expected to work full-time on their projects. Different funding sources have different eligibility requirements. The Office of Medical Student Research will work with students to confirm their eligibility before funds are awarded.

Requirements: Students are required to participant in a series of courses and informal meetings if these are held while they are doing their research. The Program may stipulate other alternative training sessions if research is being conducted from September-May. All students must have IRB/IACUC approvals BEFORE the start of the project, NO EXCEPTIONS. At the end of the research experience, students must submit a short report (2-3 pgs) and abstract (250 words) describing their findings.

Stipend: The stipend amount awarded depends on the funding source and the length of the proposed research project. The average stipend amount for the NIDDK STRT grant and other funding sources for 2017 is $3,896 for an 8 week project..Each stipend will be administered in two payments, the first being a month after you start your research and the second after you have fulfilled the requirements at the end of your project. They will be distributed by Direct Deposit

Application Process: Deadline for funding for the summer (May through August) of 2017 is 5:00pm on Friday, February 17, 2017. Students interested in funding for one-year projects must also submit their applications at this deadline.